Shoulder Pad Support

ABSTRACT

A shoulder pad support designed to work in co-operation with or be placed directly onto existing shoulder pad devices for use in contact sports. The shoulder pad support is comprised of an accessory pad designed to be closely worn to the body of the wearer and surround the acromioclavicular joint of the shoulder. The accessory pad forms a channel creating an air space between the accessory pad and existing shoulder pads to aid in the displacement of forces applied to this joint during contact activities.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/050995 filed Sep. 16, 2014 to one of the above named inventors, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an accessory pad for placement underneath existing shoulder pads.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In contact sports, such as hockey, football, and lacrosse, the competing players wear shoulder pads to protect themselves from injury. A typical shoulder pad includes a harness surrounding the upper body of a wearer with attached pads for draping over the top of the wearers shoulders. This harness secures the attached pads to the wearer and attempts to align the shoulder pads in the proper position and orientation for maximum protection.

In this typical assembly, the shoulder pad is rested directly on the top of the shoulder joint and formed from a rigid plastic having a cupped shape formed to encompass the joint. Although, this configuration provides some general protection to the shoulder joint, it is lacking in specific protection to the more fragile and injury prone acromioclavicular (“AC”) joint. The AC joint includes the upper region of the shoulder where the end of the clavicle joins with the acromion of the scapula. The AC joint is the most easily damaged of all of the joints in the shoulder, due to the relatively narrow size of the clavicle and a lack of muscle tissue surrounding the end of the clavicle where it attaches to the acromion via the acromioclavicular ligament and forms the AC joint.

A typical AC joint injury occurs from a direct blow or fall to the tip of the shoulder or a fall onto an outstretched hand and results in the separation of the clavicle from the acromion due to a stretching or tearing of the acromioclavicular ligament. This injury is particularly common in contact or collision sports, such as ice hockey, football, and lacrosse. Accordingly, this injury can be extremely painful and result in significant discomfort and limitations in future play going forward.

Therefore, there is a need for new and improved shoulder padding to protect this fragile AC joint. Preferably, this padding is easy to wear, affordable, and co-operates with existing shoulder pads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for an improved shoulder pad by utilizing an accessory pad for use in co-operation with existing shoulder pads. The accessory pad is positioned below the existing shoulder pads and configured to straddle the shoulder of the wearer. This straddling creates and defines an air space or air gap between the shoulder pad and the accessory pad wherein the air space, the accessory pad, and the existing shoulder pads work in co-operation to effectively aid in the absorption of any force applied to the shoulder joint.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accessory pad is provided within the framework of a wearable garment. Accordingly, the garment will have integrated padding placed at the shoulder region in a manner to straddle to the shoulder area of the wearer. Preferably the garment is of the compression type to closely conform to the body of the wearer and ensure proper positioning and reduced movement of the accessory pad during activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an anatomical view of the shoulder region to aid in the understanding of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a left isometric view of the shoulder pad support, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a right isometric view of the shoulder pad support, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front side view of the shoulder pad support, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is rear view of the shoulder pad support, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus.

These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 of a shoulder pad support according to the present invention generally referred to as 100. This shoulder pad support is generally designed to protect the acromioclavicular (AC) joint of the shoulder. Specifically referring now to FIG. 1, the AC joint is composed of the acromion 1 of the scapula, the acromioclavicular ligament 2, and the clavicle 3. These bone and ligament structures are surrounded by muscle and skin tissue as defined by the region 4. This AC joint structure is prone to injury during contact sports and it is the goal of the present invention to aid in the protection of the AC joint in combination with an existing pair shoulder pads (not pictured) and commonly found within the art to provide protection to wearers during contact sporting activities, such as ice hockey, football, and lacrosse.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the shoulder pad support is composed of accessory padding 100 placed in proximity to the body of the shoulder region of a wearer. This padding 100 is specifically placed in front of and behind the AC joint to define an air space 103. This air space 103 representing a gap between the AC joint and existing shoulder pads, wherein this air space 103 works in co-operation with the existing shoulder pads to effectively aid in the absorption of any force applied to the AC joint.

In particular, the accessory padding 100 is placed in two distinct regions of the shoulder joint to aid in protection and may be comprised of a pair of padded regions placed posterior 101 and anterior 102 to the shoulder joint on each shoulder of the wearer. Accordingly, the posterior padded region 101 is placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and arranged to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament. The anterior padded region 102 is placed along the clavicle and arranged to seat anterior to acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, wherein the posterior padded region 101 and anterior padded region 102 straddle and surround the AC joint to create a channel and providing for the air space 103 and minimize the impact to the AC joint when wore in the combination with an existing pair of shoulder pads.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accessory padding 100 is placed directly onto or within a compression garment 10 in the designated anterior and posterior areas and forming a channel to provide for the creation of the air space 103. A compression garment 10 is preferred as its tight fight allows for the proper placement of the accessory padding 100 and it is easy to use. Although, the compression garment 10 is preferred other similar undergarments or harness configurations can be utilized to offer the desired protection.

The accessory padding 100 can be composed of a variety of shock absorbing materials, such as foam, fabric, rubber, plastic, or hybrids of these materials or other materials now known or unknown. It is preferred, that a foam material be used for its durability and performance capabilities. The accessory padding 100 need not be provided in two separate regions as it is anticipated that certain shapes and configurations can accomplish similar goals, such as an arch shape, u-shape, s-shape, or other similar shapes that allow for the surrounding of the shoulder area and the creation of an air space 103.

Additionally, although a garment with integrated accessory padding 100 is preferred, there are several additional embodiments and configurations of this accessory padding 100 that can be constructed to utilize similar mechanisms of protection. Accordingly, the accessory padding 100 may be positioned directly on the existing shoulder pads, on a separate and distinct harness or strap placing the accessory padding 100 in the proper anatomical alignment, or any other similar configuration that utilizes accessory padding 100 to create a distinct air space around the AC joint to increase the protection of the joint.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) but that the invention will include all embodiments falling with the scope of the specification. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective device for the shoulder region for use by a wearer, the device adapted for placement below an existing shoulder pad, the device comprising: a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament; a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad and anterior pad.
 2. A protective device as in claim 1, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are integrated into a garment for use by the wearer.
 3. A protective device as in claim 1, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are integrated into a harness for use by the wearer.
 4. A protective device as in claim 1, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are placed on an underside of a pair of existing shoulder pads.
 5. A protective device as in claim 2, wherein the garment is a compression garment.
 6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material.
 7. A garment for contact sports adapted for use by a wearer, the garment adapted for placement of over the shoulder region of the wearer, the garment comprising: a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament; a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad and anterior pad.
 8. A garment as in claim 7, wherein the garment is a compression garment.
 9. A garment as in claim 7, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material.
 10. A garment for contact sports adapted for use by a wearer, the garment adapted for placement of over the shoulder region of the wearer, the garment comprising: a posterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the posterior pad placed along the posterior portion of the scapula and adapted to seat posterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, the posterior pad having a height extending opposite the body of the wearer; a anterior pad adapted to be placed in direct contact with the body of the wearer, the anterior pad placed along the clavicle and adapted to seat anterior to the acromion and acromioclavicular ligament, the anterior pad having a height extending opposite the body of the wearer, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are adapted to straddle and surround the AC joint of the wearer; and an air gap, the air gap defined by a channel space between the posterior pad height and the anterior pad height.
 11. A garment as in claim 10, wherein the garment is a compression garment.
 12. A garment as in claim 10, wherein the anterior pad and posterior pad are comprised of a foam material. 